NEL
VOL. 22 No. 3
Original Article Full
text pdf
(86kb)
2001;
22:192-198 pii:
NEL220301A04
Diurnal profile of melatonin concentrations in patients
with major depression: relationship to the clinical manifestation
and antidepressant treatment
by Anna Szymanska, Jolanta Rabe-Jablonska & Michal Karasek
Keywords: melatonin, major depression, diurnal rhythms,
antidepressant treatment
Submitted:
March 3, 2000
Accepted: May 8, 2001
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES:
The aim of the study was to establish if there are differences
in the 24-hour melatonin secretion profile between patients
with major depression (before, and after treatment with clomipramine)
compared to those in healthy subjects. Additionally, we determined
if there are differences in melatonin concentrations, depending
on the severity of depression, and the presence of 24-hour
rhythm disturbances.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients with major depression
and 24-hour rhythm disturbances, and 14 healthy volunteers
took part in the study. Before, and after treatment with clomipramine
all subjects had blood samples collected at 08:00, 14:00,
20:00, 24:00, 02:00, 04:00, and 08:00 h, for estimation of
melatonin concentrations. Before and after treatment, the
severity of depression was evaluated using the following scales:
the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HADRS), Beck Depression
Inventory (BDI), and clinical observation, as well as presence,
and if so, severity of 24-hour rhythm disturbances were assessed.
RESULTS: In individuals with major depression with marked
disturbances of their diurnal rhythms, melatonin secretion
is also disturbed, shown by the higher melatonin concentrations
at night as compared to those in healthy individuals. However,
melatonin levels were independent of the severity or the clinical
manifestation of depression. Moreover, no correlation between
the disturbances in their diurnal rhythms (sleep-watchfulness,
diurnal mood shifts) and disturbed melatonin pattern was observed.
CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin nocturnal concentrations in patients
with major depression were higher than those in healthy individuals.
However, the melatonin concentration values do not differentiate
the patients in terms of the severity of the depressive symptoms.
